







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Alright, deal! You have 3 days to think, starting now! | |
| I don't think it's hay fever! I believe it's from the cat... | |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | |
| Do you want me to wash the wine bottle before I pour it? | |
| He is a plumber, dear, apparently it's clogged. | |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | |
| Huh, it's quite good money! | |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | |
| Also, he has got a very lovely, cute dog. | |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
| Did you check carefully, don't we have any at all? | |